New paint binders

ABSTRACT

Poly-N-acylalkyleneimines corresponding to the following formula ##STR1## are used as an oxidatively crosslinking constituent in paints. In formula (I), R--CO represents the acyl radical of a mono- or polyunsaturated, aliphatic C 16-22  carboxylic acid or a mixture of such radicals, R&#39;--CO represents the acyl radical of a C 1-22  carboxylic acid or a mixture of such radicals and x and y represent the percentages by weight of the particular polymer units, x assuming values of 20 to 100% and preferably 20 to 95% and y assuming values of 80 to 0% and preferably 80 to 5%. The indices m and n independently of one another may assume the value 2 or 3.

This is a divisional application under 37 C.F.R. § 1.60 of application Ser. No. 07/721,514 filed on Jul. 12, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,020.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is concerned with paints and lacquers and relates to new oxidatively curing binders and to their use.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Paints are basically divided into physically drying systems and chemically drying systems. In the first case, the paint film is formed from the paint binders (film formers, resins, plasticizers) dissolved or dispersed in the solvent by evaporation of the solvent with no further chemical reaction. In the second case, application of the paint to the surface is followed by a chemical reaction which leads to crosslinking in the paint film, with the result that there is a drastic reduction in the redissolvability of the dried (cured) film compared with the original paint constituents.

One form of chemically drying paints are the oxidatively drying systems in which the crosslinking reaction is initiated by atmospheric oxygen, Oxidatively drying systems include the old oil paints and oil lacquers which contained highly unsaturated oils, such as linseed oil and soybean oil (so-called drying oils), together with siccatives (drying aids) as oxidatively crosslinking binders. However, their drying time is too long for present-day requirements. Presently the most important oxidatively curing paints are based on alkyd resins in which highly unsaturated fatty acids in the form of mixed polyesters are incorporated by condensation. To guarantee adequate quality of the paint film, the characteristic data of the alkyd precondensates which are incorporated in the paints have to be kept very constant. Naturally this involves very considerable care and effort so far as the conduct of the condensation reaction is concerned. In addition, the presence of the ester bond means that the alkyd resins remain somewhat vulnerable to hydrolysis.

The problem addressed by the present invention in this regard was to find other alternatives and to develop more suitable systems.

It has been found that this problem can be solved by addition of certain poly-N-acylalkyleneimines to the paints.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to the use of poly-N-acylalkyleneimines corresponding to the following formula ##STR2## as an oxidatively crosslinking constituent in paints. In formula (I), R--CO represents the acyl radical of a mono- or polyunsaturated, aliphatic C₁₆₋₂₂ carboxylic acid or a mixture of such radicals, R'--CO represents the acyl radical of a C₁₋₂₂ carboxylic acid or a mixture of such radicals and x and y represent the percentages by weight of the particular polymer units, x assuming values of 20 to 100% and preferably 20 to 95% and y assuming values of 80 to 0% and preferably 80 to 5%. The indices m and n independently of one another may assume the value 2 or 3.

The poly-N-acylalkyleneimines used in paints in accordance with the invention may readily be reproducibly prepared with any composition without any particular precautions. The compounds show high stability to hydrolysis and give quick-drying films with high gloss and hardness. The composition of the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines and hence their properties may be adapted within wide limits to the requirements of the various paints, so that both paints and lacquers based on organic solvents and also water-based paints can be produced with these polymers.

The poly-N-acylalkyleneimines according to the invention are preferably used as sole binder in the paints or as the predominant component of all the binders present. However, it is also possible and may even be of advantage, depending on the requirements which the paint has to satisfy, to use the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines together with relatively large percentages of other known binders, for example alkyd resins, nitrocellulose or chlorinated rubber, in mixing ratios of from about 10:1 to about 1:10. In addition to the constituents already mentioned, the paints may of course also contain any of the other auxiliaries and additives typically encountered in paints and lacquers, including for example pigments, dyes, fillers, siccatives, reactive diluents, anti-skinning agents and flow control agents. Plasticizers and resins, which are occasionally included among the binders, may also be used. The high compatibility of the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines according to the invention is an advantage in regard to mixing with other constituents.

In principle, poly-N-acylalkyleneimines corresponding to formula I may be prepared by acylation of polyalkyleneimines with carboxylic acids or carboxylic acid derivatives. More typically, however, they are prepared by cationic polymerization of Δ² -5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazines and/or Δ² -oxazolines (4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazoles) which bear the substituents R or R' in the 2-position. Since these monomers are cyclic iminoethers, the polymers prepared therefrom are also called polyiminoethers. The name polyoxazolines is also commonly used for the polymers prepared exclusively from Δ² -oxazolines, for example by the processes described in DE 12 06 585, DE 15 70 213 or DE 19 04 540. The polymers prepared from Δ² -dihydrooxazines are known accordingly as polyoxazines. The 2-substituted oxazolines may in turn be obtained, for example, from the β-chloroethylamides or from the ethanolamides of the corresponding carboxylic acids or carboxylic acid mixtures by dehydrohalogenation or dehydration. The dihydrooxazines may be similarly obtained from the propanolamides of the carboxylic acids or corresponding derivatives. Particulars can be found in the literature (see for example A. Levy and M. Litt, J. Polym. Sci. A1, 6, 1883 (1968); S. Kobayashi and T. Saegusa in Ring-Opening Polymerization Vol. 2, Ed. J. Irvin, T. Saegusa, London 1984, page 761 and also EP 88 118 090.5 and DE-P 39 14 155). The molecular weight of the polymers may be varied within wide limits primarily through the quantity of polymerization catalyst used (Bronstedt and Lewis acids, alkylating agents etc.). Low molecular weights may be obtained, even with low concentrations of catalyst, providing chain transfer agents, for example alcohols or carboxylic acids, are additionally added. Polymers having average molecular weights. (weight average) in the range from 1,000 to 1,000,000 and more especially in the range from 3,000 to 50,000 are particularly suitable for the use according to the invention.

The specific production of copolymers from two or more individual 2-substituted cyclic iminoethers is also unproblematical. Since the polymerization reaction can always be continued to substantially complete conversion of the monomers, the composition of the copolymers may readily be determined through the choice of the monomer components. Where monomer mixtures are used as starting material for the polymerization, copolymers in which the individual structural units are statistically distributed are obtained. The monomer mixture may consist of individually synthesized cyclic iminoethers or, depending on the synthesis process, may even be obtained in a single step from a corresponding mixture of carboxylic acids or carboxylic acid derivatives. The second method is preferred above all when the carboxylic acids or their derivatives are prepared from natural fats or oils. If the individual cyclic iminoethers are successively introduced during the polymerization reaction, it is possible to influence the sequence of the monomer units in the polymer as far as block copolymers. The polymers are preferably produced from oxazolines, i.e. m and n in formula I preferably have the value 2.

The majority of poly-N-acylalkyleneimines suitable for use in accordance with the invention have never been described before and are therefore a subject of the invention in their own right.

According to the invention, preferred poly-N-acylalkyleneimines are those in which R--CO is the acyl radical of a natural, unsaturated C₁₆₋₂₂ fatty acid and/or a carboxylic acid prepared by modification of a polyunsaturated fatty acid of this type. The modification reactions in question, which may even be carried out on the final iminoether, include in particular the alkali-catalyzed displacement of one of the double bonds in linoleic acid from the 9,12-position to the 9,11- or 10,12-position (with partial cis-trans isomerization to so-called conjuene fatty acid), the alkali-catalyzed cis-trans isomerization of individual double bonds and the partial epoxidation of linoleic or linolenic acid, optionally followed by opening of the epoxide ring with addition of water or lower C₁₋₃ alcohols (for example methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol). Examples of these preferred acyl radicals R--CO include those derived from the following carboxylic acids (c=cis, t=trans):

palmitoleic acid (9c-hexadecenoic acid)

petroselic acid (6c-octadecenoic acid)

oleic acid (9c-octadecenoic acid)

elaidic acid (9t-octadecenoic acid)

ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxy-9c-octadecenoic acid)

linoleic acid (9c,12c-octadecadienoic acid)

linolenic acid (9c,12c,15c-octadecatrienoic acid)

gadoleic acid (9c-eicosenoic acid)

arachidonic acid (5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid)

erucic acid (13c-docosenoic acid)

brassidic acid (13t-docosenoic acid)

clupanodonic acid (4,8,12,15,19-docosopentaenoic acid)

9,11-octadecadienoic acid (cis-trans mixture)

12-hydroxy-13-methoxy-9c-octadecenoic acid

12,13-dihydroxy-9c-octadecenoic acid

Particularly preferred poly-N-acylalkyleneimines are those in which the radical R--CO is derived from the following carboxylic acids:

oleic acid

ricinoleic acid

linoleic acid

linolenic acid

erucic acid

adduct of monoepoxidized linoleic acid and water or C₁₋₃ alcohols

The percentage by weight x of the polymer units bearing the radical R--CO in the polymer is from 20 to 100%, preferably from 20 to 95% and more preferably from 50 to 95%.

The acyl radical R'--CO different from R--CO is derived from C₁₋₂₂ carboxylic acids which may be saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or alicyclic carboxylic acids, aromatic or araliphatic carboxylic acids which may optionally bear substituents which, like hydroxyl groups, ether groups, ester groups and halogens, do not affect the polymerization reaction of iminoethers. The following are examples of carboxylic acids from which R'--CO may be derived:

acetic acid

propionic acid

caproic acid

10-undecylenic acid

lauric acid

palmitic acid

stearic acid

2-ethyl hexanoic acid

cyclohexane carboxylic acid

benzoic acid

t-butyl benzoic acid

4-chlorobenzoic acid

phenyl acetic acid

adducts of 9,10-epoxystearic acid and water or C₁₋₃ alcohols, such as for example

9,10-(hydroxy, methoxy)-octadecanoic acid and ether carboxylic acids corresponding to the following formula

    R.sup.1 --O--(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--).sub.r R.sup.2 --CO.sub.2 H

in which R¹ =C₁₋₃ alkyl, R² =C₁₋₃ alkylene, r=0 to 2.

The properties of the polymer may be additionally varied within wide limits through the choice of R'--CO and the percentage content of the particular unit in the polymer without any of the drying properties of these lacquer binders being lost. Thus, hydrophilic properties may be emphasized within certain limits, for example, by incorporation of short-chain acyl radicals R'--CO (derived for example from acetic acid or propionic acid), while the incorporation of long-chain aliphatic acyl radicals (derived for example from C₈₋₂₂ fatty acids) leads to increased solubility in mineral oil.

Accordingly, preferred poly-N-acylalkyleneimines are those in which the acyl radical R'--CO is derived from saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, from C₂₋₂₂ ether carboxylic acids or from benzoic acid, more particularly from saturated C₈₋₂₂ fatty acids.

The acyl radicals derived from the following carboxylic acids are particularly preferred as R'--CO:

stearic acid

isostearic acid

palmitic acid

myristic acid

lauric acid

9,10-(hydroxy,methoxy)-octadecanoic acid

behenic acid

benzoic acid.

The percentage by weight y of the polymer units bearing the radical R'--CO in the polymer is from 80 to 0%, preferably from 80 to 5% and more preferably from 50 to 5%.

High-quality paints which give films of high strength in short drying times may be produced with the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines according to the invention. The films adhere to various substrates, so that paints for metals, wood, plastics, silicate-containing building materials and other materials can be produced on this basis. These paints generally contain the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines corresponding to formula I or the preferred polymers of this type in quantities of from about 5 to about 80% by weight, although the quantities present may even be above or, in particular, below these limits, above all where the paints contain other binders in addition to the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines. Where the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines are used together with other binders, it may be appropriate and advantageous to carry out the production of the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines in these other binders. In other words, in the above-described polymerization of the cyclic iminoethers, these other binders, for example alkyd resins, polyurethanes or polyacrylates, act as solvents and the mixture of binders required for the production of the paints is directly obtained. The paints preferably contain from 10 to 60% by weight of the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines. The poly-N-acylalkyleneimines may be present in dissolved form or may even be dispersed in the solvent in addition to constituents typically encountered in paints and lacquers, such as resins, plasticizers, pigments, siccatives and other auxiliaries and additives. The quantities of solvents (water and/or organic solvents) and other constituents lie in the typical ranges for paints: solvents preferably 10 to 90% by weight and more preferably 20 to 60% by weight; other binders preferably 0 to 60% by weight and more preferably 3 to 30% by weight; pigments preferably 0 to 50% by weight and more preferably 3 to 40% by weight; other typical auxiliaries and additives preferably 0 to 60% by weight and more preferably 5 to 30% by weight., based in each case on the total weight of the paint.

EXAMPLES

A. Preparation of the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines

The starting materials used were oxazolines and dihydrooxazines substituted in the 2-position which had been produced predominantly from carboxylic acids or carboxylic acid methyl esters via the hydroxyethyl or 3-hydroxypropylamides by dehydrating cyclization in accordance with one of the earlier applications EP 88 118 090.5, DE-P 39 14 133 and DE-P 39 14 155. Even where carboxylic acid mixtures or methyl esters of carboxylic acid mixtures had been used as starting material, the iminoethers were not subjected to fractional distillation, so that the radicals R and R' in the iminoethers largely corresponded in their composition to the compositions in the carboxylic acid or methyl ester mixtures (determination by capillary gas chromatography). Carboxylic acids or methyl esters were generally used in technical grade purity; the composition of the oxazolines used based on fatty acid mixtures (or methyl ester mixtures) of natural origin is shown in Table 1 and the composition of the dihydrooxazines in Table 2. Some other oxazolines, such as those based on ω-acetoxycaproic acid and succinic acid monomethyl ester, were prepared by the processes of A. Levy and M. Litt, J. Polym. Sci. A1 6, 1883-1894 (1968).

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                     Content of oxazolines                                              Oxazoline                        % by                                          prepared from Based on           weight                                        ______________________________________                                         Soybean oil fatty acid                                                                       Saturated C.sub.16-20 fatty acids                                                                 17                                            (Edenor.sup.(R) Sj, Henkel)                                                                  Oleic acid         26                                                          Linoleic acid      50                                                          Linolenic acid     7                                             Ricinoleic acid                                                                              Palmitic acid      2                                             (Edenor.sup.(R) Ri 90,                                                                       Stearic acid       1                                             Henkel)       Oleic acid         5                                                           Ricinoleic acid    88                                                          Linoleic acid      4                                             Oleic acid methyl ester                                                                      Saturated C.sub.12-20 fatty acids                                                                 20                                            (Edenor.sup.(R) Me TiO5,                                                                     Oleic acid         70                                            Henkel)       Linoleic acid      9                                                           Linolenic acid     1                                             Conjuene fatty acid                                                                          Saturated C.sub.14-18 fatty acids                                                                 7                                             (Edenor.sup.(R) UKD 6010,                                                                    Oleic acid and elaidic acid                                                                       26                                            Henkel)       Linoleic acid      6                                                           Mixture of 9,11-octadecadien-                                                                     61                                                          oic acid and 10,12-octadeca-                                                   dienoic acid                                                     Sunflower oil fatty                                                                          Saturated C.sub.16-22 fatty acids                                                                 6                                             acid (Edenor.sup.(R) SbO5,                                                                   Oleic acid         29                                            Henkel)       Linoleic acid      64                                                          Linolenic acid     1                                             Behenic acid  Palmitic acid and stearic acid                                                                    5                                             (Edenor.sup.(R) C 22 R,                                                                      Arachic acid       10                                            Henkel)       Behenic acid       81                                                          Gadoleic acid      1                                                           Erucic acid        3                                             Erucic acid (Edenor.sup.(R)                                                                  Palmitic acid and stearic acid                                                                    1                                             U 122, Henkel)                                                                               Oleic acid         2                                                           Gadoleic acid      5                                                           Erucic acid        92                                            Elaidic acid  Saturated C.sub.12-20 fatty acids                                                                 13                                            (technical)   Palmitoleic acid and 9t-                                                                          9                                                           hexadecenoic acid                                                              Oleic acid         18                                                          Elaidic acid       56                                                          9,12- 9,10- and 10,11-octa-                                                                       4                                                           decadienoic acid                                                 Head-fractionated                                                                            Caproic acid       2                                             coconut oil fatty                                                                            Carpylic acid      61                                            acid          Capric acid        34                                                          Lauric acid        3                                             Hydrogenated coconut                                                                         Capric acid        1                                             oil fatty acid                                                                               Lauric acid        52                                            (Edenor.sup.(R) HPK 12-18,                                                                   Myristic acid      18                                            Henkel)       Palmitic acid      10                                                          Stearic acid       19                                            Fatty acids of hydro-                                                                        Palmitic acid      2                                             genated rapeseed oil                                                                         Stearic acid       49                                            (Edenor.sup.(R) HRa,                                                                         Arachic acid       8                                             Henkel)       Behenic acid       41                                            Hydrogenated ricino-                                                                         Palmitic and stearic acid                                                                         14                                            leic acid (Edenor.sup.(R)                                                                    12-Hydroxystearic acid                                                                            86                                            OSSG, Henkel)                                                                  Hydroxymethoxy stearic                                                                       9,10-(hydroxy,methoxy)-octa                                                                       90                                            acid (from completely                                                                        decanoic acid                                                    epoxidized oleic acid                                                                        Other saturated C.sub.16-18 fatty                                                                 10                                            methyl ester (90%)                                                                           acids (incl. substituted)                                        with methanol)                                                                 Hydroxymethoxy                                                                               13,14-(hydroxy,methoxy)-                                                                          92                                            behenic acid  docosanoic acid                                                  (from completely                                                                             Other saturated C.sub.16-20 fatty                                                                 8                                             epoxidized erucic acid                                                                       acids                                                            methyl ester (92%) with                                                        methanol)                                                                      Hydroxymethoxy octa-                                                                         Mixture of 9,10-(hydroxy,                                                                         45                                            decenoic acid (from                                                                          methoxy)-12c-octadecenoic                                        partly epoxidized                                                                            acid and 12,13-(hydroxy,                                         linoleic acid methyl                                                                         methoxy)-9c-octadecenoic                                         ester (61%) with                                                                             acid                                                             methanol)     Linoleic acid      9                                                           Oleic acid         15                                                          Saturated C.sub.16-18 fatty acids                                                                 31                                                          (incl. substituted)                                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                                     Content of dihydrooxazine                                          Dihydrooxazine                   % by                                          prepared from Based on           weight                                        ______________________________________                                         Soybean oil fatty acid                                                                       Saturated C.sub.16-20 fatty acids                                                                 16                                            (Edenor.sup.(R) Sj, Henkel)                                                                  Oleic acid         26                                                          Linoleic acid      51                                                          Linolenic acid     7                                             Ricinoleic acid                                                                              Palmitic acid      2                                             (Edenor.sup.(R) Ri 90,                                                                       Stearic acid       1                                             Henkel)       Oleic acid         7                                                           Ricinoleic acid    87                                                          Linoleic acid      3                                             Oleic acid methyl ester                                                                      Saturated C.sub.12-20 fatty acids                                                                 21                                            (Edenor.sup.(R) ME Ti 05,                                                                    Oleic acid         68                                            Henkel)       Linoleic acid      10                                                          Linolenic acid     1                                             Sunflower oil fatty acid                                                                     Saturated C.sub.16-22 fatty acids                                                                 6                                             (Edenor.sup.(R) Sb 05,                                                                       Oleic acid         30                                            Henkel)       Linoleic acid      63                                                          Linolenic acid     1                                             ______________________________________                                    

The iminoethers were polymerized by various methods in solution or in the melt, in each case until conversion was complete. The polymers were obtained in the form of soft, wax-like or glass-like solids or as powders, depending on the method used for working up. The molecular weights of the end products were determined by gel permeation chromatography against polystyrene as standard and represent weight averages.

1. In a glass flask, 270 g of the oxazoline based on the soybean oil fatty acid Edenor® Sj and 30 g of the oxazoline based on the ricinoleic acid Edenor® Ri 90 were heated under nitrogen with 4.8 g trifluoromethane sulfonic acid methyl ester and stirred for 30 minutes at 160° C. The polymer solidified on cooling to room temperature. Its molecular weight was 11,500.

2. In a 1 liter three-necked flask, 100 g xylene and 10 g of the oxazoline based on the conjuene fatty acid Edenor® UKD 6010, 40 g of the oxazoline based on the ricinoleic acid Edenor® Ri 90 and 50 g of the oxazoline based on lauric acid were refluxed for 2 hours with 0.6 g 2-undecyl-2-oxazoline hydroperchlorate as catalyst. After cooling, the polymer was precipitated by pouring the solution into excess methanol and isolated by centrifugation. The yield comprised 98% of the theoretical. Molecular weight 48,300.

3. In a 1 liter three-necked flask equipped with a stirrer and reflux condenser, 70 g oxazoline based on the soybean oil fatty acid Edenor® Sj and 70 g toluene were heated under nitrogen to 120° C. together with 0.9 g trifluoromethane sulfonic acid methyl ester. After 3 hours, a 50% solution of 30 g oxazoline based on propionic acid (2-ethyl oxazoline) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for another 3 hours at 120° C. The block copolymer formed was isolated by precipitation in excess methanol. The yield comprised 96% of the theoretical. Molecular weight 23,100.

4. 0.5% by weight trifluoromethane sulfonic acid methyl ester was added to a mixture of the oxazolines based on the sunflower oil fatty acid Edenor® Sb 05 and isostearic acid in a ratio of 85:15 and the mixture was then pumped through a heated stainless steel tube at a rate of 75 ml/h by means of a peristaltic pump. The tube had an internal diameter of 4 mm and a length of 80 cm, 60 cm being immersed in an oil bath heated to 160° C. The polymer issuing from the end of the tube solidified on dropping under nitrogen onto an aluminium plate. The yield was quantitative. Molecular weight 31,500.

5. A 70% solution of 150 g of a mixture of oxazoline based on the soybean oil fatty acid Edenor® Sj, oxazoline based on the behenic acid Edenor® C 22 R and oxazoline based on hydroxymethoxy stearic acid in a ratio by weight of 3:4:3 in toluene was introduced into a 1 liter three-necked flask equipped with a stirrer and reflux condenser. After the addition of 1.2 g boron trifluoride etherate, the mixture was refluxed for 3 hours. After cooling, the product was precipitated by pouring into excess methanol and isolated by centrifugation. The yield comprised 98%. Molecular weight 18,200.

Other poly-N-acylalkyleneimines are listed in Tables 3 to 6 in which the figures represent the percentages by weight of the copolymerized iminoethers, unless otherwise stated. The iminoethers used are generally oxazolines; where dihydrooxazines were copolymerized, this is indicated by the addition (oxazine) in the mention of the carboxylic acid base. The polymers were obtained by the following variants of the production process:

I. The monomers and the catalyst were introduced into a flask in the ratios by weight shown in the Table and were heated with stirring under nitrogen for 30 minutes (90 minutes in Examples 11 and 12) to 160° C. (see also Example 1).

II. 10% of the monomer mixture shown in the Table was introduced with the total quantity of catalyst into a flask and heated with stirring under nitrogen to 120° C. The remaining 90% of the monomer mixture were added dropwise over a period of 1 hour, optionally after heating beyond the melting point, and the mixture as a whole was stirred for another hour at 120° to 140° C.

III. A mixture of monomers and catalyst as shown in the Table was pumped through a heated stainless steel tube by means of a peristaltic pump and polymerized therein as described in Example 4.

IV. The oxazoline based on soybean oil fatty acid was introduced into a flask with the total quantity of catalyst shown in the Table and heated under nitrogen to 160° C. and then stirred for 30 minutes (120 minutes in Example 25) at that temperature. In Example 17, the reaction time was 120 minutes at 120° C. In addition, the oxazolines based on soybean oil fatty acid and benzoic acid were polymerized together in this stage in Example 17. The comonomer was then added and the reaction mixture was left at the reaction temperature for another 30 minutes (or 120 minutes).

V. A 70% solution of the monomers and the catalyst in xylene was refluxed for 3 hours as in Example 2. The polymer was recovered by concentration of the solution after cooling.

The following polymerization catalysts were used:

a) trifluoromethane sulfonic acid methyl ester

b) boron trifluoride etherate

c) toluene sulfonic acid methyl ester

d) 2-undecyl-2-oxazoline hydroperchlorate

e) 2-pentadecyl-2-oxazoline-hydroperchlorate

f) N-methyl-2-phenyl oxazolinium trifluoromethane sulfonate

g) N-methyl-2-heptadecyl oxazolinium trifluoromethane sulfonate

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Poly-N-acylalkyleneimines                                                      Acyl radicals RCO                                                              or R'CO derived                                                                          Examples                                                             from      1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9                                            __________________________________________________________________________     Soybean oil fatty                                                                        90    70    30 80       50                                           acid (Sj)                                                                      Ricinoleic acid                                                                          10 40                                                                (Ri 90)                                                                        Sunflower oil fatty                                                                               85       20 50 50                                           acid (Sb 05)                                                                   Conjuene fatty acid                                                                         10                                                                (UKD 6010)                                                                     Hydroxymethoxy           20 20                                                 octadecenoic acid                                                              Propionic acid  30                                                             Lauric acid  50             60                                                 Isostearic acid    15          20                                              Hydrogenated                   20                                              ricinoleic acid                                                                (OSSG)                                                                         Behenic acid          40                                                       (C22 R)                                                                        Hydroxymethoxy        30                                                       stearic acid                                                                   Benzoic acid                    5                                              p-Chlorobenzoic                 5                                              acid                                                                           Catalyst type                                                                            a  d  a  a  b  c  d  a  c                                            Quantity/% by                                                                             1.6                                                                               0.6                                                                               0.9                                                                               0.5                                                                               0.8                                                                                3.0                                                                              3.0                                                                               0.6                                                                               0.6                                         weight                                                                         Production process                                                                       I  V     III   I  III                                                                               V  I                                            Molecular weight/                                                                        11.5                                                                              48.3                                                                              23.1                                                                              31.5                                                                              18.2                                                                               6.7                                                                              11.1                                                                              29.3                                                                              28.9                                         1000                                                                           Yield/% of                                                                               100                                                                               98 96 100                                                                               98 100                                                                               100                                                                               98 100                                          theoretical                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Poly-N-acylalkyleneimines                                                      Acyl radicals RCO                                                              or R'CO derived                                                                          Examples                                                             from      10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18                                           __________________________________________________________________________     Soybean oil fatty                                                                        35       60    60 70 40 90                                           acid (Sj)                                                                      Ricinoleic acid    30    40                                                    (Ri 90)                                                                        Conjuene fatty acid                                                                         10 20    20                                                       (UKD 6010)                                                                     Erucic acid (U 122)                                                                            20                                                             Elaidic acid                                                                             35 10                                                                Acetic acid     60                                                             Propionic acid                 55 10                                           Coconut oil fatty     79                                                       acid, hydrogenated                                                             Head-fractioned                                                                             70                                                                coconut oil fatty                                                              acid                                                                           ω-hydroxycaproic                                                                                1                                                       acid                                                                           Hydrogenated 10                                                                ricinoleic acid                                                                (OSSG)                                                                         Hydroxymethoxy                                                                           30                                                                   stearic acid                                                                   Hydroxymethoxy              30                                                 behenic acid                                                                   Benzoic acid       10           5                                              Catalyst (type)                                                                          a  b  c  f  b  a  c  a  c                                            Quantity/% by                                                                            0.2                                                                               0.03                                                                              0.04                                                                              5.6                                                                                0.3                                                                               0.5                                                                               0.6                                                                               0.6                                                                               0.7                                         weight                                                                         Production process                                                                       III                                                                               I  I  I  I  I  IV IV V                                            Molecular weight/                                                                        84 510                                                                               375                                                                               5.5                                                                               70.4                                                                              30.0                                                                              30.4                                                                              15.3                                                                              24.5                                         1000                                                                           Yield/% of                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               96                                           theoretical                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Poly-N-acylalkyleneimines                                                      Acyl radicals RCO                                                              or R'CO derived                                                                          Examples                                                             from      19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27                                           __________________________________________________________________________     Soybean oil fatty                                                                        20             50 70 100                                                                               50                                           acid (Sj)                                                                      Ricinoleic acid    100                                                         (Ri 90)                                                                        Oleic acid   30                                                                (Ti 05)                                                                        Sunflower oil fatty   100                                                                               10                                                    acid (Sb 05)                                                                   Conjuene fatty                                                                           20    30                                                             acid (UKD 6010)                                                                Dihydroxyocta-                                                                              50                                                                decenoic acid                                                                  Capric acid  20 50                                                             Palmitic acid                                                                            50                30                                                 Stearic acid    20                50                                           Fatty acid from          30                                                    hydrogenated rape-                                                             seed oil                                                                       ω-Acetoxy caproic  10                                                    acid                                                                           Succinic acid                                                                            10                                                                   monomethyl ester                                                               Catalyst (type)                                                                          e  c  g  a  b  c  e  a  a                                            Quantity/% by                                                                             2.9                                                                               2.0                                                                              0.4                                                                                0.8                                                                               0.7                                                                              4.6                                                                               0.04                                                                               0.5                                                                              0.5                                          weight                                                                         Production process                                                                       V  II I  III                                                                               III                                                                               II IV V  I                                            Molecular weight/                                                                        14.2                                                                              10.5                                                                              112                                                                               20.5                                                                              18.5                                                                              4.9                                                                               890                                                                               28.5                                                                              29.1                                         1000                                                                           Yield/% of                                                                               97 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               97 100                                          theoretical                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Poly-N-acylalkyleneimines                                                      Acyl radicals RCO                                                              or R'CO derived                                                                          Examples                                                             from      28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36                                           __________________________________________________________________________     Soybean oil fatty                                                                           85 65 65 70 80 70 70 60                                           acid (Sj)                                                                      Soybean oil fatty                                                                        75    25                                                             acid (Sj)                                                                      (oxazine)                                                                      Ricinoleic acid       10                                                       (Ri 90)                                                                        (oxazine)                                                                      Sunflower oil fatty               20                                           acid (Sb 05)                                                                   (oxazine)                                                                      Oleic acid (Ti 05)       20                                                    (oxazine)                                                                      Lauric acid        35                                                          (oxazine)                                                                      Benzoic acid                                                                             25    10    20       10 20                                           Benzoic acid                30                                                 (oxazine)                                                                      3,6,9-trioxa-                                                                               15                                                                decanoic acid                                                                  3,6,9-trioxa-                  20                                              decanoic acid                                                                  (oxazine)                                                                      Catalyst (type)                                                                          b  c  a  a  b  c  a  c  c                                            Quantity/% by                                                                            0.6                                                                               1.4                                                                               0.6                                                                               1.2                                                                               0.6                                                                               0.6                                                                               0.7                                                                               0.8                                                                               0.7                                          weight                                                                         Production process                                                                       III                                                                               III                                                                               I  I  I  II II I  II                                           Molecular weight/                                                                        27 20 29 14 26 31 24 25 25                                           1000                                                                           Yield/% of                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                          theoretical                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________

B. Use of the poly-N-acyl alkyleneimines in lacquers and paints

37.-48. Solvent-based clear lacquers

In these Examples, paints having the following composition were prepared by mixing the components at room temperature or with gentle heating.

65.0 g poly-N-acylalkyleneimine according to the invention

0.5 g cobalt siccative, 6% by weight Co (Octa-Soligen-Co, Borchers)

2.5 g zirconium siccative, 6% by weight Zr (Octa-Soligen-Zr, Borchers)

2.0 g butanone oxime

30.0 g Kristalloel 30 (Shell)

The homogeneous paints which were liquid at room temperature were knife-coated onto glass plates or stainless steel plates and then dried in air at room temperature. The film remaining after drying had a layer thickness of approximately 30 μm and showed firm adhesion and elasticity in every case. Table 7 shows the Konig pendulum hardness (according to the German standard DIN 53 157), the impact indentation (on metal plate, reverse, according to the US standard ASTM-D 2795-69) and the gloss (visual) measured after different drying times (1 to 14 days) for paints containing various poly-N-acylalkyleneimines.

The measured values clearly show that lacquers having very good properties can be produced with the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines according to the invention.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Poly-N-acyl-                           Impact                                  alkylene-                     Pendulum indent-                                 imine                         hardness ation/                                  according to  Sub-            in sec after                                                                            inch ×                            Example                                                                               Example    strate  Gloss 1 d 7 d 14 d pound                             ______________________________________                                         37      1         Glass   High  42  50  60                                     38      3         Glass   High  28  43  47                                     39      9         Glass   High  42  40  45                                     40     15         Glass   High  40  46  48                                     41     18         Glass   High  53  70  71                                     42     22         Glass   High  13  28  32                                     43     26         Glass   High  65  71  74                                     44     27         Glass   High  34  50  58                                     45     28         Glass   High  16  24  32                                     46     29         Glass   High  29  31  36                                     47     30         Glass   High  19  35  53                                     48     31         Glass   High  18  49  53                                     37      1         Metal   High      55       >80                               40     15         Metal   High      46       >80                               ______________________________________                                    

49.-50. Solvent-based white paints

To produce these paints, the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines according to Examples 1 to 15 were dissolved in a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons (boiling range 162°-176° C., Solvesso® 100) to form 70% solutions. The pigment and some other additives were then introduced into the solutions and grinding pastes (a) having the following composition (parts by weight) were prepared therefrom by dispersion in a dissolver to a particle size below 10 μm:

    ______________________________________                                                              49a   50a                                                 ______________________________________                                         Poly-N-acylalkyleneimine according                                                                    117.5                                                   to Example 1 (70% solution)                                                    Poly-N-acylalkyleneimine according                                                                            108.5                                           to Example 15 (70% solution)                                                   Calcium octoate (4%)   4.6     4.3                                             Wetting agent (nonionic, 50%)                                                                         4.6     4.2                                             White spirit (boiling range 145-200° C.)                                                       73.2    67.8                                            Titanium dioxide (rutile)                                                                             303.1   280.2                                           ______________________________________                                    

The grinding pastes were then processed with addition of a mixture (b) of the following components (in parts by weight) to form spreadable white paints:

    ______________________________________                                                           49b      50b                                                 ______________________________________                                         Poly-N-acylalkyleneimine according                                                                 459.0                                                      to Example 1 (70% solution)                                                    Poly-N-acylalkyleneimine according                                                                            424.5                                           to Example 15 (70% solution)                                                   Butanone oxime      7.1        6.6                                             Lead octoate solution (24% Pb)                                                                     4.2        3.9                                             Zirconium octoate solution (6% Zr)                                                                 4.2        3.8                                             Cobalt octoate solution (6% Co)                                                                    1.8        1.7                                             Solvesso.sup.(R) 100                                                                               10.2       47.2                                            White spirit (145-200° C.)                                                                  10.5       47.3                                            White paint (total) 1,000      1,000                                           ______________________________________                                    

To test the film properties, both paints were knife-coated onto glass plates or sprayed onto deep-drawn iron plates and then dried in air at room temperature. The tests applied and the test results are shown in Table 8.

The measured values clearly show that pigmented paints based on the poly-N-acylalkyleneimines according to the invention are also of outstanding quality.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                                              Example                                                                        49    50                                                  ______________________________________                                         Poly-N-acylalkyleneimine                                                                              1       15                                              according to Example                                                           Viscosity of the paint after 40 days                                                                  550     560                                             (ICI Cone & Plate Viscosimeter; mPas)                                          at 25° C.)                                                              On glass                                                                       Pendulum hardness                                                              (DIN 53 157) in sec                                                            after 3 days           44      34                                              after 14 days          54      80                                              after 48 days          84      80                                              Gloss (reflectometer values 60°                                                                81      82                                              according to DIN 53 151)                                                       On deep-drawn plate    59      51                                              Pendulum hardness (DIN 53 157)                                                 in sec after 44 days                                                           Erichsen indentation test (DIN 53 156)                                                                8.4     8.7                                             in mm after 44 days                                                            ______________________________________                                    

51. Water-based paint

71.5 g of a 70% solution of the poly-N-acylalkyleneimine of Example 17 in isopropanol were introduced with stirring into 200 ml water. 104.5 g isopropanol and water were then distilled off from the mixture in vacuo, resulting in the formation of a stable dispersion. Finally, the dispersion was stirred with 0.18 g cobalt siccative (Servosyn® WEB, 8% Co, Servo B. V., Delden, N. L.) and 0.63 g zirconium siccative (Servosyn® WEB, 12% Zr, Servo B. V., Delden, N. L.).

To test the film properties, the water-based paint was knife-coated onto deep-drawn iron plates and dried thereon in air at room temperature. Dust dryness was achieved after 2 h. After 14 days, the pendulum hardness (DIN 53 157) of the high-gloss film (thickness 50 μm) was already 78 s.

52. Paint based on poly-N-acylalkyleneimine/alkyd resin

As in Examples 34-45, a solvent-based clear lacquer was prepared by mixing the following components:

32.5 g poly-N-acylalkyleneimine according to Example 26

43.3 g alkyd resin Alkydal® 681 (75% in white spirit, Bayer AG)

0.5 g cobalt siccative

2.5 g zirconium siccative

2.0 g butanone oxime

19.2 g Kristallol 30

The clear lacquer liquid at room temperature was knife-coated onto glass plates and, after drying in air, gave a high-gloss film having a thickness of approximately 30 μm and pendulum hardness values of 35 s after 1 d, 53 s after 7 d and 80 s after 14 d. 

We claim:
 1. A poly-N-acylalkyleneimine composition corresponding to formula I ##STR3## in which R--CO is selected from the group consisting of the acyl radical of a mono- or polyunsaturated, aliphatic C₁₆₋₂₂ carboxylic acid and a mixture of said radicals, R'--CO is selected from the group consisting of the acyl radical of a C₁₋₂₂ carboxylic acid and a mixture of said radicals, m and n independently of one another have the value 2 or 3, x and y represent the percentages by weight of the particular polymer units, x having a value of about 20 to about 100% and y having a value of about 80 to 0%.
 2. A poly-N-acylalkyleneimine composition as in claim 1 wherein the acyl radical R--CO is derived from the group consisting of palmitoleic acid, petroselic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, gadoleic acid, arachidonic acid, erucic acid, brassidic acid, clupanodonic acid, conjuene fatty acid, adducts of monoepoxidized linoleic acid and water or a C₁₋₃ alcohol, and a mixture thereof.
 3. A poly-N-acylalkyleneimine composition as in claim 1 wherein x has a value of about 20 to about 95%, and y has a value of about 80 to about 5%.
 4. A poly-N-acylalkyleneimine composition as in claim 1 wherein x has a value of about 50 to about 95%, and y has a value of about 50 to about 5%.
 5. A poly-N-acylalkyleneimine composition as in claim 1 wherein m and n each have the value of
 2. 6. A poly-N-acylalkyleneimine composition as in claim 1 wherein the acyl radical R'--CO is derived from the group consisting of a saturated aliphatic carboxylic acid containing 2 to 22 carbon atoms, an ether carboxylic acid containing 2 to 22 carbon atoms, benzoic acid, and a mixture thereof.
 7. A poly-N-acylalkyleneimine composition as in claim 1 having an average molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 1,000,000,
 8. A poly-N-acylalkyleneimine composition as in claim 1 having an average molecular weight of about 3,000 to about 50,000. 